Michael Branham, obsessed fan with ‘Scarlett’ tattoo, charged for threatening to bomb SNL where Johansson’s husband Colin Jost works; protection orders granted.
April 8, 2025: Scarlett Johansson’s alleged stalker has been arrested following a chilling threat to bomb the set of Saturday Night Live (SNL), where her husband, Colin Jost, is a long-time writer and co-anchor of the Weekend Update segment.
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According to court filings and law enforcement, 48-year-old Michael Joseph Branham, who has “Scarlett” tattooed with a heart on his torso, was arrested in Manhattan after reportedly texting, “The next time you here [sic] from me I will be on CNN for exploding a bomb in Saturday Night Live audience.”
The NBC Universal global security team reported the threat to police, prompting a swift arrest. Branham, who also has four outstanding warrants in Kentucky, was charged with false reporting and threat of mass harm, both felonies. His bail was set at $100,000 cash or $300,000 bond.
The prosecution believes the threats stemmed from Branham’s long-standing delusions involving Johansson, whom he believes to be his fiancée. On social media, he has previously claimed she bought him a car and expressed bizarre declarations of love, saying, “I’m waiting for you still in Hollywood.”
Branham’s public defender, Jamie Niskanen-Singer, argued for lower bail, stating Branham had been scammed by people posing as Johansson and may have been hacked. The lawyer also emphasized Branham’s lack of weapon history.
However, Judge Janet McDonnell refused the request, noting, “We’re here because he threatened to bomb Saturday Night Live.” She also issued orders of protection for both Johansson and Jost.
This isn’t the first time Johansson has sought legal protection from Branham. In 2023, she alleged that Branham harassed her online, claimed to be the father of her child, and even showed up at her residence. Her prior restraining order request was denied in California in 2024 due to failure to serve court documents.
The case has raised serious concerns about celebrity safety, online delusions, and the legal system’s ability to respond quickly to escalating threats.
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